Luau Brings Hawaii To Strawberry

PINE-STRAWBERRY

This seems like a wonderful opportunity to name the winners of the Science Fair Projects and the Young Author's competition at the Pine Strawberry School.

The winners of the 2005 Science Fair are (drum roll please) Sixth grade: first place - Kit Buskirk, second place - Preston Barnett, and third place - Tyler Hennecke. Seventh grade: first place -Deanna Ippolito, second place - Cory Wilcox, and third place - Hillary Van Den Bosch. Eighth grade: first place - Ryan Williams, second place - Brittany Berge, and third place - Danielle Piazza.

The science fair is for junior high students. Bethany Sprinkle, a fifth-grader, took it upon herself to prepare a project. The judges were impressed and awarded her an Honorable Mention. Overall winners were: first place - Talia Schaal, and second place - Brooke Larned and Joey Sprinkle. There were many interesting and ingenious science projects.

The Young Author's writing competition produced this group of winners. All students in each grade wrote short stories and put them into book form. These books were displayed on tables in the school hallways, and parents were invited to come and read them. The short stories were judged. The winners are: (another drum roll, please) Kindergarten: first - August Johnson, second - Brooks Randall, and tying for third are Kara Ward and David Bullard. First grade: first - Kevin Donsbach, second - Rachael Larned, third - Dalton Isabelle. Second grade: first - Sedona Dahl, second - Tom Kiekintveld, third - Nick Schneider. Third grade: first - Sara Sprinkle, second - Tanner Purtill, third - Katie Graham. Fourth grade: first - John Buskirk, second Kirsten Terry, third - Mikey Emminger. Fifth grade: first - Jimmy Brown, second Bethany Sprinkle, third - Shelby Stuart.

Congratulations to all these winners and to all students who worked hard and put their best efforts into these two projects.

Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds, the theme of the Summer Reading Program at the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library, promises to be full of adventure, imagination and fun. The children gather each Wednesday in June in the Cultural Hall at the Pine Community Center or at the library from 10 a.m. till noon. All children through age 14, including those living or visiting in Pine and Strawberry, are invited to participate. There is no charge. Sign up at the library.

A variety of age-appropriate programs will be offered. Grace Schoerner will offer Reader's Theater which calls for the casting of nine reading parts and includes some costuming and set design. (No memorizing of parts is required.) Chris and Maureen Walsh will offer medieval fighting techniques for those who want more action.

At 11:30 a.m. on the first four Wednesdays, there will be a presentation for program participants, their families and friends. These presentations will reflect modern-day versions of activities that took place during medieval times. On June 1, Sara Ferguson, a certified farrier, will fire up her forge and demonstrate how horseshoes are made. Other special presentations will be Chris Walsh who will display his entire suit of armor, Chuck and Barb Casey who will provide medieval-style music, and Arvid Thompson who will demonstrate how fiddles are made. Very special surprises are being planned for the final session, June 29. Special incentives will be awarded to those who actively participate in the program. Many books have been set aside which entertain and educate about this medieval period. With questions or to sign up, stop by the Pine Library or call (928) 476-3678. This collaborative summer library program is made possible by the Arizona Reading Program, which is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Library Services and Technology Act.

Dates to remember

Strawberry's Elite Hawaiian Luau is from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the Black Bear Restaurant in Strawberry. Roast pig and other Hawaiian delicacies are on the menu. All proceeds help children and families in need in our communities. Tickets are $13 for one or $25 for two. Tickets are available at the door or from Elite members. Swinging island music for your dancing and listening pleasure will be provided by Trouble in Paradise.

School is out for the summer Friday, May 27 with an early dismissal at 11 a.m. The children will receive their report cards. No lunch will be served.

The Pine Library Friends Memorial Day book sale and raffle will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28 at the library. A great selection of books, books on tapes and videos is available. The raffle includes a beautiful, handmade quilt and a cooler full of great picnic supplies as well as a meal for two from the Pine Deli. Stop by and see this great prize. Tickets for $1 each or six for $5 are available at the library or from any Library Friends member.

The Memorial Weekend Art and Craft Festival, sponsored by The Pine/Strawberry Arts and Craft Guild is Saturday, May 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is the fifth year of the juried show, and all booth spaces are filled with a great variety of one-of-a-kind creations including hand-painted household items, jewelry, dolls, pillows, children's cloth books, knit and crochet baby items, stained glass and much more.

Kiwanis will be serving their traditional pancake breakfast both mornings. There will be Navajo tacos for lunch, the Weenie Wagon and other snack booths. This all takes place at the Pine Community Center. Come for a day of fun, food and creative crafts.

Please provide information for this column regarding upcoming events, activities and items of interest for residents and visitors of Pine and Strawberry. Call or fax (928) 476-2239 or e-mail cpwrather@earthlink.net.